Calgary police investigating after two Tesla vehicles believed to have been set on fire
Police believe the two fires may be connected
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Calgary police are looking for a person of interest linked to reports of two Tesla vehicles being set ablaze in mid-March — incidents investigators believe to be intentional.
Police describe the person of interest as a man in his 30s with a heavy build, approximately five feet 10 inches tall. He has brown hair and brown eyes, and was wearing a purple T-shirt with a blue hat and a black jacket when security camera recordings of him were made.
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This person may have information about the vehicle fires, police said in a statement issued Thursday morning.
The first incident took place March 18 at 9:30 p.m. when the owner parked her white 2023 Tesla Model Y at the Tesla charging station at 314 12 Ave. S.E. Less than two hours later, she received a notification that her Tesla was no longer charging. She then looked out the window of her apartment and saw the Tesla was on fire.
The owner called 911 and the Calgary Fire Department arrived to put out the fire. Based on evidence collected at the scene, police believe the fire was intentionally set.
“We are asking anyone who had their vehicle parked at the Tesla charging station located at 314 12 Ave. S.E., between 9 and 11:30 p.m., on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, to check their vehicle’s camera system and contact police with any relevant footage,” the Calgary Police Service said in a statement.
Then on March 19, at around 9:50 p.m., police were called to a Tesla storage lot at 6812 Fairmount Dr. S.E., for reports of another vehicle, a grey 2025 Tesla Cybertruck, on fire.
Upon arrival, CFD extinguished the fire, and arson investigators later determined the cause of the fire was similar to the one the evening before.
Police — who believe the two fires may be connected — continue to collect evidence.
“We continue to investigate these arsons that have targeted Tesla vehicles,” said Staff Sgt. Kurt Jacobs of the CPS arson and robbery unit.
“Telsa owners are encouraged to put their car in sentry mode when their vehicle is parked in a non-secure area. For those with the feature, sentry mode is developed to engage the vehicle’s camera system to record suspicious activity occurring around the vehicle and notify the owner of the suspected activity.”
The reports follow a series of vandalism cases across the country involving Tesla cars and dealerships after Elon Musk, the company’s CEO and the world’s richest man, took on the job of overseeing the new U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, which has been cutting federal spending and programs.
Protests have been held outside Tesla dealerships and factories across Canada and the U.S. while showrooms, fleets and charging stations have been singled out. Such events led the Vancouver International Auto Show to remove Tesla from its show due to ongoing safety concerns facing attendees and exhibitors.
In Canada, the protests have adopted the slogan “Tesla Takedown” in response to Musk’s role in advising Trump, who has imposed tariffs on Canada and has threatened to annex the country.
The investigation into both arsons is ongoing. Police ask anyone with information about the incidents to contact them by calling 403-266-1234, or to submit tips anonymously to Crime Stoppers through their website, by calling 1-800-222-8477 or using the P3 Tips app.
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